Search form

Search form

For the second time in recent months, safety inspectors have found cracks inside Airbus A380 wings. The European Aviation Safety Agency has approved an inspection and repair program to address the first set of cracks, which were linked to manufacturing issues. The second set of cracks affects a different part of the bracket, according to sources familiar with the matter. The airliner's safety is unaffected, but several planes may be taken out of service while repairs are performed, an Airbus spokesman said.

Related Summaries

The European Aviation Safety Agency could certify wing repairs to the Airbus A380 in the first quarter, an official says. The aircraft manufacturer has also redesigned the wings on the A380 to prevent cracks in wing rib feet; the new wings will be available in 2014.

Airbus will pay about $139 million to repair cracks in the wings of its A380 through its warranty program. "This is a maintenance issue -- it has nothing to do with the safety of flights. It is unfortunate we have to replace some of those parts but it happens," said Airbus Chief Operating Officer John Leahy.

The heavily hyped Airbus A380 -- which was nicknamed the superjumbo because of its ability to carry up to 800 passengers -- has landed in a super mess. The European Aviation Safety Agency has issued mandatory safety testing for the entire fleet of A380s after workers found more cracks on parts inside the wings. "(T)his condition, if not detected and corrected, could potentially affect the structural integrity of the airplane," said the EASA.

Airbus announced that the wing cracks in its A380s were caused by flaws in production, not fatigue from flying. The aircraft manufacturer will fix the wings by removing affected wing brackets and replacing them. "The A380 is safe to fly," said Airbus executive Tom Williams. "We've taken short-term steps to address the issue and we are working on a longer-term solution."

After European authorities ordered checks on Airbus A380s for wing cracks, similar cracks on components of additional jets were discovered. "We have clear evidence that the airworthiness process is working," a spokesman for Airbus said.